Managing Attorney – Public Benefits Unit

Role Overview

• Determine client eligibility for legal services in accordance with CLS program policies and procedures.
• Represent eligible clients within the entire CLS service area.
• Travel as necessary to represent clients as well as to attend CLS authorized trainings, events, and meetings.
• Provide high quality legal services to eligible clients including identification of legal problems, investigation, advice, negotiation, representation before courts, administrative and legislative/quasi-legislative bodies, and preparation of necessary documentation.
• Identify legal needs of the low-income community, develop legal educational programs, and/or direct advocacy strategies to address those needs, and report these to the appropriate practice unit.
• Supervise, support, mentor, and train attorneys, advocates, paralegals and support staff in all aspects of their work.
• Provide substantive training to paralegal advocates and attorneys to prepare them for contested administrative hearings.
• Demonstrate the ability to handle complex litigation in a highly competent and efficient manner through use of advanced advocacy skills, as shown by having significant responsibility in a broad range of work, including administrative law cases, federal court cases, appellate level cases, and other complex civil proceedings (i.e., jury trials, litigation involving impact or novel issues, novel forums, multi-day or complex multi-party trials, relief by extraordinary writ, etc.).
• Perform advanced legal research including use of computer-based databases, e.g., Westlaw, and computerized practice software.
• Maintain a regular, active caseload.
• Collaborate with other substantive law units to further the provision of holistic services to CLS clients and the mission of CLS.
• Complete, submit, and review all required reports, timesheets, expenses, invoices, etc.
• Participate in the identification, application, and oversight of any grants applicable to the unit.
• Support all reporting and compliance efforts with respect to program initiatives, including grants.
• Provide strategic vision for the unit aligned with CLS Strategic Plan, Needs Assessment, annual priorities and mission.
• Build and maintain relationships with community organizations and other stakeholders to support the delivery of legal services to clients and legal information to the community.
• Assist in the development and management of the budget for the unit and oversee the budget for the unit to ensure effective resource allocation and maximum impact.
• Other duties as assigned in furtherance of the mission of CLS.

Requirements

• Must be licensed to practice in the State of Florida and a member in good standing of The Florida Bar
• Minimum of five years’ experience practicing law, preferably in a legal services program and expertise within unit specialty
• Experience with legal nonprofit organizations preferred
• Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills
• Strong leadership abilities and the ability to work in a collaborative work environment
• Some attorney supervision experience preferred
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite
• Be bondable
• Ability to perform duties and attend meetings and/or other functions throughout 12 county service area
• Valid Florida automobile license, use of own automobile, and proof of insurance necessary to travel on behalf of CLS; possibility of working weekends and evenings.

Benefits

• 15 paid holidays and 24 days of paid time off
• Excellent physical/mental health, vision, and benefits (With 95% of benefits paid for by company)
• 100% Coverage with Dental Benefits, Life Insurance, Long/Short Term Disability
• 100% 403B match up to 5% after 1 year of employment
• CLS pays Bar Dues and CLE Credits
• Student loan reimbursement for Attorneys
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Ability to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Fantastic work-life balance
• Various opportunities for upward mobility into leadership/more advanced roles
• Pet Insurance
• Wellness Committee dedicated to employee morale, with events such as company wide retreats, activities, and challenges!